REVIEW: Torrefy – The Infinity Complex (Album)

Back in August of 2016, prog-thrashers Torrefy released their second album, The Infinity Complex. Following up from their debut album Thrash and Burn, The Infinity Complex is a macro-cosmic concept album that represents the band’s extreme approach to its eclectic, progressive thrash-inspired sound. When we say ‘extreme approach’ we don’t mean that lightly. If you’re looking for something on the same lines as Metallica because you’ve seen ‘thrash’ mentioned, I’m afraid you’ve come to the wrong place.

The album itself, it possesses those typical thrash pummeling guitars along with drums that albeit force you to headbang. What sets Torrefy apart from any other band with similar influences lies with the vocals. Singer John Ferguson has a distinct sound that can be best described as a required taste. It will come as a shock at first but if you dig that style then you’ll love the whole experience. However, the point remains that if you’re not a huge fan of this particular sound, then it’s more than likely this won’t be for you. When it comes to performing, Torrefy are one of those smaller bands that will bring it to every show. With high-energy performances, the band hailing from Victoria BC (Canada) are itching to unleash chaos amongst crowds anywhere and everywhere.

The Infinity Complex opens with the track Planck Epoch, which is fitting as that term itself refers to the earliest stage of the Big Bang (and seeing as this is a concept album about all of that stuff, our hats are off to you, Torrefy). The song is two minutes of pure instrumental build and succeeds in providing the cosmic atmosphere to the album. The drifting drum beat and almost sci-fi like guitar sounds lead into the second song, The Singularity. This one picks up the pace whilst building to the point we hear the very first screech from Ferguson. Everything about the first half of the song is unrelenting and then we hit a more melodic part with a killer guitar solo to take us to the latter half. The Singularity starts off The Infinity Complex strongly and sums up the crazy approach these guys have taken to create something new.

Hypochongea follows and again provides much of the same. With a slower tempo to begin with before turning it up, a structure which changes the feel of the song to give it that sense of diversity from the previous. Blinding the Beholder opens up with the Richard Dawkins quote “We are going to die, and that makes us the lucky ones”, followed by hammering guitars and bass that drives the verses. Drummer Daniel Laughy does a particularly good job with mixing it up throughout this track. With odd blast beats, signature thrash beats and the use of the bell from the ride cymbal to cut through frantic sections, Blinding the Beholder may be one of our favourites instrumentally.

Thrasher Dictator mixes things up once again and has that introduction feel that Planck Epoch has. With this one being eight minutes long, its opening two minutes provide something refreshingly different. As the problem with these long thrash songs, if you can’t understand everything that is being said then one song can be mistaken for another. It’s a true shame for the band because they have a great deal of talent. Unfortunately a lot of their talent can be overlooked if you’re not paying attention and that’s what they’re lacking, a grip factor. Killed to Death has some cool tempo changes but it’s nothing overly exciting. It contains a well composed guitar solo which sees out the song and ultimately provides the best part of the song. Infinity Complex storms straight back into things with no pause and my word, it leaves you thinking “How has it taken us six whole songs to get to this?!”. Truth be told, the song benefits from being five minutes in length. It provides a good balance that refrains from making the song become stale. It feels like the band have given everything they’ve got with this one and it shows. It’s by far the best song on the album.

Celestial Warfare is utter mayhem, and this time when it begins to drag a bit, the band kicks it back up with double bass and guitar that pulsates with it. They only last for a few seconds at a time, but with the rawness that the vocals bring, it provides the defining moments of the track. Lastly, the album closes with Trial by Stone. There isn’t a great deal worth talking about in regards to this one as it is pretty much the same as the other songs. It does end with some obscure ringing sounds, but it doesn’t end in a particularly grand way.

All in all, The Infinity Complex is a long album the has a lot to offer upon inspection. However, it’s very hard to do that if you’re just trying to listen for fun. With the majority of the tracks ranging between seven to eight minutes, it’s easy to grow tired if you’re not a die hard fan of the style. But, it must be said that there is talent on show from every single member here and when the songs are shorter, they are essentially better. Torrefy are doing a good job in promoting themselves and with a few minor changes, their next album could be killer.